As I mentioned in a previous topic, the usage of the simple cables between the handheld transceiver and Android device is not always a 100% reliable solution, mainly because some Android devices can not be configured to "accept" audio signals on their MIC input or, if accept, they have an unwanted behavior (e.g. start the music player).

For this reason, and taking the advantage of the bluetooth option provided by APRSdroid software, I decided to try to transform a bluetooth headset in a small interface between Android phone and the VHF transceiver. I choose a cheap earpiece (around 7 EUR) available on local market (LAZER Auriclar Bluetooth), the only special thing on it being the multipoint feature. This is not mandatory, the only reason being that such a feature are available on a newer bluetooth modules.

Carefully unscrew the earpiece case and identify and unsolder the wires for input (thos…

The main reason which made ​​me buy this transceiver, has been its low cost reported to available modes (CW, SSB, FM), providing me the possibility to start working in digital modes without quit the CW and the "relatively" high power (abt. 15 W - 20 W PEAK in SSB) for an equipment which is intended for CB traffic, where the power limit is 4 watts.

As a CB transceiver, the things are good, mainly because once the radio channels are already configured, is very easy to use it. It also performs very well in radio traffic, both at RX as well as TX, with up to 4 W in a simple CB antenna, mounted on the car's roof. The SWR report indicated by the transceiver does not exceed 1:1.4, and the covered distance usually exceeds 8-10 km, even when I am "surrounded" by high relief.

The RX part is als…

One of the most popular USB gadget in the last years, not only in the ham radio world, is the USB SDR dongle based on the RTL2832 chip.

Many users choose to install this device on Windows platforms because is very easy to configure and to operate it. But, for permanent operation, a Windows client computer or laptop, working continuously, is not an economical solution, from any point of view: occupied space, power consumption, remote administration and so on.

In many cases, the small Raspberry Pi box can replace successfully a Windows solution. At the beginning, the usage of Linux OS is not an easy task for a Windows user, but after few simple projects this will be not an obstacle.

A very simple project, for a Raspberry Pi and USB SDR dongle, is the receiving of the ADS-B signals transmitted by the commercial aircrafts on 1.09 GHz. 

ADS-B (Automatic…

The converter is delivered with two plastic faces to protect the mainboard and the display, together with the fixing accessories (screws and spacers). But, a dedicated enclosed box is highly recommended for more safety, especially if you will use it in portable or mobile activities.le activities it will not be so easy to carry them.

A better solution is to use high capacity Li-Ion batteries, designed to charge laptops, having at least 20 Ah and capable to provides minimum 4 Amps as discharging current. These batteries are lightweight and easy to carry, but in order to benefit from a higher discharge current, you must set the battery's output voltage at 16 or 19 Volts, which are to higher than the standard voltage usually designed for transceivers, at 13.8 Volts.

This issue can be fixed with the following DC-DC convertor, which accepts a very large voltage range input (from 6 …

Updating the firmware for Anytone D-878UV is a simple process, very well described in the packages containing the new released software versions. But, there are few settings which, if are ignored, will create some confusions.

One of this is the "Startup Reset" option. This is placed in the Public > Optional Setting, in the left panel of the CPS software. By the default, any new firmware update sets this parameter to <Off>. That means the rebooting and reset of the transceiver, after the new firmware was written, will not work with the PTT+PF1 combination.

So, before starting the firmware update, use the CPS software version of the current firmware to setup "Startup Reset" to <On>. Then, close the current CPS version and run the CPS corresponding to the new firmware and start the upgrade, following the instructions mentioned in the provided distribution package. In the end, when the radio will…

• AT-D868/878 UV Mods: http://members.optuszoo.com.au/jason.reilly1/868mods.htm

• Software, firmware, support for AT-D878 UV:

1. http://www.miklor.com/D878/

2. http://www.wouxun.us/category.php?category_id=93

3. http://www.qx-tele.com/download.html

• AT-D878 UV DMR Support: http://d878uv.com/

1. Display failure after GPS Start Test issue

First major issue was a software failure after an auto activation of [Start Test] in [GPS] menu. At one point, during a DMR QSO, a GPS test was started and, in the end, the device was restarted. After restart, the display looks like in the picture below:

Basic radio functions were working perfectly, meaning receiving and transmitting. Also, switching between VFOs or programmed channels were not affected.

The GPS function was disabled and, after accessing the transceiver with the CPS software, I found that the APRS menu had disappeared.

As always in such situations, the first thought is to perform a factory initialization, which for AT-D878UV meaning to power-on the transceiver while the PTT and PF1 buttons are pressed simultaneously. Unfortunately, this procedure did not work, the portable starting always with the main booting sequence.

http://k3fef.com:8902/

http://websdr3.utahsdr.org:8901/

http://zr6aic.giga.co.za:8901/

By default, in DMR mode, are displayed only the ID of the participants, in conversations. You can manually create a list with aliases, in Talk Groups or you can import the lists available on Internet.

There are two important differences between these options:

1. Using your manually edited list, with aliases, allows you selection of the desired ID, for a private call. But, you have to spend time to add new entries;

2. Using an imported list from Internet is the fastest way to have, at any time, the name and the callsign of almost any participant. But, this imported lists are not visible in your transceiver, so you will not be able to use an entry for a private call.

So, will be very useful to have both options: start with an imported Digital Contact List, downloded from Internet and, anytime you have an important corespondent, edit your own agenda in…